Bengals swing blockbuster NFL trade with Giants for Dexter Lawrence

The Cincinnati Bengals needed to add some help to their defense this offseason.

They did just that on Saturday, pulling off a massive pre-Draft blockbuster trade for Dexter Lawrence.

The New York Giants and Lawrence reached an impasse during recent contract negotiations, with the defensive tackle ultimately asking for a new home in a trade. That home will be in the AFC North, as the Bengals have agreed to a blockbuster trade for Lawrence.

The deal includes the tenth-overall selection in next week’s 2026 NFL Draft. That means that the Giants now have a pair of picks inside the top ten in next week’s Draft, the number five selection and then the number ten selection.

New York has been linked with several of the top defensive prospects in the draft, including linebacker Sonny Styles. Now with a pair of picks inside the top ten, the Giants can add both a premium defensive prospect as well as another player, perhaps one of the top offensive line prospects in the class to help protect Jaxson Dart.

As for the Bengals, their investments along the defense continue. Cincinnati added Boye Mafe, Bryan Cook, and Jonathan Allen already this offseason, and now Lawrence joins that group of additions.

As reported by ESPN beat reporter Jordan Raanan, the deal is Lawrence in exchange for the No. 10 pick, straight up.